20 Photos of the Colombian Caribbean to Make You Want to Pack Your Bag NOW

We spend a lot of time trying to show people that Colombia isn’t just beaches and coffee. Sometimes, though, you’ve just got to sit back and admit that if it were just beaches, it’d still be a pretty stunning place to visit.

Take these photos. Phwoar.

Barranquilla

Sunset in Barranquilla (photo credit: Cath Ortega)

Outside the impressive Museo del Caribe, Barranquilla

Marimonda Mask at Barranquilla’s Carnival

Dance? Music? Culture? Party? Welcome to Barranquilla, guys. One of Colombia’s fastest-growing and most progressive cities, the future of Barranquilla is as bright as a Carnaval costume.

San Andres & Providencia

San Andres

Providencia

The Caribbean Sea in Providencia

As you may have guessed from the pictures, this is beach paradise. Cheap drinks, incredible food, a laid-back culture and basically everything you ever dreamed about Caribbean life being. Take me there now.

Cartagena

Cartagena

Cartagena from the air by Josmi Amin Martelo

Sunset in Cartagena by Josmi Amin Martelo

Cartagena is Colombia’s most iconic and well-known city. No wonder, when it looks as lovely as this. So much history and culture can be found within those old city walls. Makes you want to get on a plane right now, eh?

Tayrona National Park

Parque Tayrona

Tayrona National Park

You should be here.

The spectaular Arrecifes Beach

There’s nothing quite like Tayrona National Park for a bit of relaxation. Just look at those views. LOOK AT THEM. I want to go.

Taganga & Santa Marta

Fishing boats on Taganga’s coast

The beach in Taganga

The beautiful Taganga sunset

Santa Marta’s old treasure

Santa Marta is great for food, Taganga is great for partying, and the surrounding beaches are nothing short of spectacular. A must-visit when you’re in the region.

La Guajira

View from the Pilon de Azucar, La Guajira

The beach at Cabo de La Vela, La Guajira

Punta Gallinas

La Guajira is an area of Colombia that many people don’t visit. THIS IS A MISTAKE. You have been warned. La Guajira’s beaches are like nothing you’ve seen or experienced before, and the lobster is frankly a revelation. Go. There. Now.

Paul is an Englishman with a longstanding love of travel, tea and quality beer. His first trip was to Bosnia & Herzegovina and it was there, wading in some waterfalls near Mostar with just a litre of cheap beer and some bread in his belly, that he was bitten by the travel bug. After many more trips and a spell working in London, Paul relocated to Buenos Aires for some months before moving to Colombia. He's been here, knocking back 'guaro', for about 2 years now. More posts from Paul Fowler